Grace: Earlier this month, I got an invite to attend The Studio’s media launch and after that, post-hangover (just kidding!), I got to interview the 23-year-old(!) lady boss.

1) Why did you decide to start a cocktail bar and what do you love most about the work you do?

I wanted to do something fun on my own and I always wanted to go into the F&B industry. Opening a bar seems to be the most fun of all. What I love most is enjoying my drinks with great people. The feeling of being part of every party, meeting different people everyday, making new friends and getting some drunk for the first time! That’s something that makes them remember The Studio as a fun place to hang out and that just makes my day all the time.

Bartender & Photographer forced to drink:

2) What sort of challenges did you face being a female and also being very young, in starting this business? How did you overcome them?

People did not respect me at the start, especially during the renovation phase. Having to sort out the renovation details with contractors was no easy task. To them, I was just a small girl trying something for the fun of it and eventually fail.

It was difficult having to meet people who put you down. I also had staff walking out on me initially due to the lack of respect and that taught me a very important lesson of not trusting people too easily and always watch your back.

3) Who are the people you are thankful for? (Those who have given you business tips, invested in your business, or who have inspired you?)

My parents. Without them, all these will never come true, both monetarily and mentally. They have been my advisers whenever I faced any problems. My boyfriend, Wilfred who have been of great help in running the place. My sister, Jessica who has helped me with all the design work. My mixologist, Sam, without him, there will not be the wonderful cocktails on the menu and he is also such a fun person to work with.

Sam:

My friend, Joash who has always been there when I needed IT advice and help like my website! Lastly all my friends who have dropped by to show their support and have helped me in any other way.

4) What are your plans for The Studio?

To stabilize this outlet and eventually turn the Studio into a chain of concept bars. Hopefully, you can see my second outlet in about 2 years. Haha..

5) What advice do you have for young people like you, who may be studying right now but have dreams of becoming entrepreneurs?

Go for your dreams. Many people told me that I won’t make it. Some thought that I should be working for companies before jumping into starting my own business. Don’t be discouraged by them! When you have the passion to do something, you should strive for it while you still have the drive and energy. Starting your own business is never easy, so you really need to be passionate about it to keep you going!

Grace says: I had a lot of fun with the DIY cocktail segment. 😀 Bigger pics so you catch all the action…

Bloggers galore:

Some Blogger-volunteers mixed their own Cosmopolitan:

I made my own Whiskey Sour:

Shake up all the ingredients and don’t forget to SMILE:

Pour your drink out:

And ENJOY!

All these would not have been possible without these 2 gentlemen:

My new friend Smith

and Jiahe from Hearted Moments Photography

Cheers and Happy Chinese New Year! Get Drunk! <- The Studio’s tagline

I loved the place! The intimate setting makes The Studio a great place for parties and chill-out sessions with friends.

How difficult can it be to be a child/family photographer? Very, as my day with Kym revealed. We went for shoots at 3 locations – the client’s home, the MICA Building, and Duxton Road.

If you’re looking for photography tips & tricks, you’re better off surfing other sites. This post is about the realities of the commercial child/family photography business.

The photo you see above was taken by me, using my non-pro digital camera. 😀 Kim was very nice and said I have “potential”. That probably means “the lighting’s all wrong but at least you got everyone into the picture.” Haha!

The couple photographed are working parents – dad’s a designer, mum’s an investment banker- with their little girl, Charlotte, who will turn 2 in 2 days’ time.

After an hour-long shoot at their Toa Payoh home, we head over to the MICA Building.

See how perilous it is? Kym risks a limb in order to get a good shot! The family’s very zealous and hardworking maid looks on. She often chips in with calling out the child’s name, singing songs, waving objects to get Charlotte’s attention, so that the girl will look straight at the camera.

At some point, Mummy gets a little self-conscious. “Ahhhh.. my face looks so fat”, she exclaims as she is shown the photos that were just taken. “How ar? My face looks so fat!” Kym handles this outburst with panache, assures the good lady, and the two mothers start comparing post-baby tummies. Kym wins the battle of “who has the biggest bulge” with just one statement: “You’ve had one baby. I’ve had two!” 😀

Next, we are off to Duxton.

Kym checks out the place:

It gets especially scary when Baby gets cranky.

Here the parents have to coax the kid. Largely unsuccessful because Baby is sick of being photographed by now. While Kym turns to the maid to ask for more biscuits to bribe the kid with. 🙂 Bribes ALWAYS work. Always.

Baby Charlotte was placed on her pedestal. She seemed very stunned when she realised how far away the ground was. She froze for quite a while but resumed munching on her biscuit soon enough. Mommy there is deathly afraid that Baby will fall, even though Charlotte seemed to know she should not move at all. First-time moms are so nice. Those who aren’t, usually let their tots trail behind them in shopping malls. Tsk tsk.

I love this picture lots. It says so much about this business. You have to get down and dirty. They went belly-down on the shophouse pavement! AND were later shoo-ed away by the occupants running an architectural business there. I was secretly amused that parents would fork out quite a bit to be made to pose, lie on the floor, sit on a window ledge, etc etc. 😀

After about 4+ hours, it’s a wrap, and Baby is sent off home. Meanwhile, Kym goes to her hubby’s office to help out with his business.

Dear Kym, I really have to take my hat off to you. You had a shoot before meeting me. And then you brought me to the 3 locations with Charlotte’s family. After which, you still had to help your hubby. You are simply amazing! When I become a mother, I want to be just like you! 🙂